Cybex

Is the Cybex Arc Trainer an elliptical machine... or a stepper? Well, according to the folks at Cybex International (located in Medway, Massachusetts) it isn't either one. They claim that the Arc Trainer is a totally unique exercise machine that must be experienced in order to be appreciated.

They go on to say that: "The science behind the Arc Trainer's big calorie burn is the arc motion. It engages the right muscles – quads and glutes – that demand lots of energy from the body when they are called upon to work. That means calorie burn and, because the Arc Trainer is demanding of the muscles – not the joints, it can be used longer without putting a strain on the knees, hip or back".

Now, if your goal is primarily to lose weight... you just might want to go back and read that last paragraph one more time. The Cybex Arc Trainer is touted as the absolute best elliptical style machine that can help you lose weight.

Cybex has always been extremely popular with the commercial marketplace such as gyms and hotel workout rooms. And, now they produce a home version called the Total Body Home Arc Trainer that is designed in a smaller footprint specially for home usage. It has the same unique Arc pattern of motion and Same Side Forward (SSF) technology that won "Product of the Year" for the Arc Trainer commercial model.

Not all cross trainers are created equal. Cross training refers to working various parts of the body by combining different exercises in a variety of ways. Typically one activity or sport trains certain parts of the body but not others. Cross training aims to eliminate this. Cross trainers are generally non-impact machines – sometimes called “ellipticals” – which refers to a specific motion. All ellipticals are cross trainers but not all cross trainers are ellipticals.

The Cybex Arc Trainer provides broad incline and resistance ranges and is literally three machines in one. When you use the lower incline level, you experience a gliding effect similar to a cross country skier. The mid-range levels create an elliptical type of stride. Finally, at the high levels you get the stepper type of climb. Incredible flexibility and fun to use.

But, the biggest benefit is that the Arc pattern of motion allows the hip and knee to move synchronously while the foot stays under the knee reducing joint pains and providing a more comfortable workout.

The unit is right at 6 feet long and weights 293 pounds, so pick your home exercise spot carefully as you don't want to have to move it around once installed. It has a reasonable warranty providing one year labor, 5 years parts and 10 years for the frame. The warranty time period actually begins on the date of installation.